Method and apparatus for transmitting reception acknowledgement information in wireless communication system

ABSTRACT

A method for transmitting a reception acknowledgement for hybrid automatic repeat request, HARQ, of a user equipment in a wireless communication system, the method includes receiving a downlink resource allocation; receiving a downlink transport block on a downlink shared channel indicated by the downlink resource allocation through at least one downlink carrier among a plurality of downlink carriers; and transmitting a positive-acknowledgement, ACK/negative-acknowledgement, NACK, signal for the downlink transport block on an uplink control channel, wherein the uplink control channel is a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH), wherein if the at least one downlink carrier is a primary carrier, the uplink control channel uses a first resource, and if the at least one downlink carrier is not the primary carrier, the uplink control channel uses a second resource.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Application is a Continuation of co-pending U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/827,000 filed on Aug. 14, 2015, which is a Continuation ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/336,900 filed on Jul. 21, 2014 (nowU.S. Pat. No. 9,148,263 issued on Sep. 29, 2015), which is aContinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/504,075 filed onApr. 25, 2012 (now U.S. Pat. No. 8,804,812 issued on Aug. 12, 2014),which is the National Phase of PCT International Application No.PCT/KR2010/007343 filed on Oct. 25, 2010, which claims the benefit under35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application Nos. 61/329,075 filedon Apr. 28, 2010, 61/317,705 filed on Mar. 26, 2010 and 61/255,077 filedon Oct. 26, 2009, all of which are hereby expressly incorporated byreference into the present application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to wireless communications, and moreparticular, to a method and apparatus for transmitting a receptionacknowledgment for hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) in a wirelesscommunication system.

Discussion of the Related Art

Long term evolution (LTE) based on 3^(rd) generation partnership project(3GPP) technical specification (TS) release 8 is a promisingnext-generation mobile communication standard.

As disclosed in 3GPP TS 36.211 V8.7.0 (2009-05) “Evolved UniversalTerrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA); Physical Channels and Modulation(Release 8)”, a physical channel of the LTE can be classified into adownlink channel, i.e., a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) and aphysical downlink control channel (PDCCH), and an uplink channel, i.e.,a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) and a physical uplink controlchannel (PUCCH).

The PUCCH is distinguished by using different codes, frequencies, times,or combinations thereof while using the same time-frequency resources.Code division multiplexing (CDM) uses different codes. Frequencydivision multiplexing (FDM) uses different frequencies. That is, each ofuser equipments transmits its PUCCH by using different codes and/orfrequencies in the same time resource.

Meanwhile, a single-carrier system generally considers only one carriereven if a different bandwidth is set between an uplink and a downlink.The carrier is defined with a center frequency and a bandwidth. Amultiple-carrier system uses a plurality of component carriers (CCs)having a narrower bandwidth than a full bandwidth.

The multiple-carrier system can support backward compatibility withrespect to legacy systems, and can significantly increase a data rate byusing multiple carriers.

The 3GPP LTE system is a single-carrier system supporting only onebandwidth (i.e., one CC) among {1.4, 3, 5, 10, 15, 20}MHz. On the otherhand, an LTE-advanced (LTE-A) which is an evolution of 3GPP LTE employsmultiple carriers.

In the single-carrier system, a control channel and a data channel aredesigned on the basis of a single carrier. However, it may beineffective if the channel structure of the single-carrier system isalso used in the multi-carrier system without alteration.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for transmitting areception acknowledgement for hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) ina wireless communication system.

In an aspect, a method for transmitting a reception acknowledgement forhybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) of a user equipment in a wirelesscommunication system is provided. The method includes receiving adownlink resource allocation through at least one downlink carrier amonga plurality of downlink carriers, receiving a downlink transport blockon a downlink shared channel indicated by the downlink resourceallocation, and transmitting a positive-acknowledgement(ACK)/negative-acknowledgement (NACK) signal for the downlink transportblock on an uplink control channel. If the at least one downlink carrieris a primary carrier, the uplink control channel uses a first resource,and if the at least one downlink carrier is not the primary carrier, theuplink control channel uses a second resource.

In another aspect, a user equipment for transmitting a receptionacknowledgement for hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) in a wirelesscommunication system is provided. The user equipment includes a radiofrequency (RF) unit for transmitting and receiving a radio signal, and aprocessor operably coupled to the RF unit and configured for receiving adownlink resource allocation through at least one downlink carrier amonga plurality of downlink carriers, receiving a downlink transport blockon a downlink shared channel indicated by the downlink resourceallocation, and transmitting a positive-acknowledgement(ACK)/negative-acknowledgement (NACK) signal for the downlink transportblock on an uplink control channel. If the at least one downlink carrieris a primary carrier, the uplink control channel uses a first resource,and if the at least one downlink carrier is not the primary carrier, theuplink control channel uses a second resource.

A positive-acknowledgement (ACK)/negative-acknowledgement (NACK) signalof a greater payload can be transmitted, and detection performance ofthe ACK/NACK signal can be improved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a wireless communication system.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a structure of a radio frame in 3^(rd)generation partnership project (3GPP) long term evolution (LTE).

FIG. 3 shows an example of a resource grid for one slot.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a structure of a downlink (DL) subframe in3GPP LTE.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of an uplink (UL) subframe in3GPP LTE.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH)format 1b in a normal cyclic prefix (CP) in 3GPP LTE.

FIG. 7 shows an example of performing hybrid automatic repeat request(HARQ).

FIG. 8 shows a PUCCH format 2 in case of using a normal CP in 3GPP LTE.

FIG. 9 shows a PUCCH format 3 in case of using a normal CP.

FIG. 10 shows an example of multiple carriers.

FIG. 11 shows an example of cross-carrier scheduling.

FIG. 12 shows an example of a multi-carrier operation.

FIG. 13 shows an example of a PDCCH detection failure.

FIG. 14 shows a method of transmitting a positive-acknowledgement(ACK)/negative-acknowledgement (NACK) signal according to an embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 15 shows a method of transmitting an ACK/NACK signal according toanother embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 shows an example of a reconfiguration ambiguity.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing a wireless communication systemaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a wireless communication system.

A wireless communication system 10 includes one or more base stations(BSs) 11. Each of the BSs 11 provides communication services to aspecific geographical area (in general referred to as a cell) 15 a, 15b, or 15 c. Each of the cells can be divided into a plurality of regions(referred to as sectors).

A user equipment (UE) 12 may be fixed or mobile, and may be referred toas another terminology, such as a mobile station (MS), a mobile terminal(MT), a user terminal (UT), a subscriber station (SS), a wirelessdevice, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a wireless modem, a handhelddevice, etc.

The BS 11 is generally a fixed station that communicates with the UE 12and may be referred to as another terminology, such as an evolved node-B(eNB), a base transceiver system (BTS), an access point, etc.

Hereinafter, downlink (DL) implies communication from the BS to the UE,and uplink (UL) implies communication from the UE to the BS. In DL, atransmitter may be a part of the BS, and a receiver may be a part of theMS. In UL, the transmitter may be a part of the UE, and the receiver maybe a part of the BS.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the structure of a radio frame in the 3GPPLTE. The section 6 of 3GPP TS 36.211 V8.7.0 (2009-05) “Evolved UniversalTerrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA); Physical Channels and Modulation(Release 8)” may be incorporated herein by reference.

Referring to FIG. 2, a radio frame includes 10 subframes and onesubframe consists of 2 slots. One subframe may have a length of 1millisecond (ms), and one slot may have a length of 0.5 ms. A timerequired for transmitting one subframe is defined as a transmission timeinterval (TTI). A TTI is a basic for scheduling.

One slot may include a plurality of orthogonal frequency divisionmultiplexing (OFDM) symbols in a time domain. OFDM symbol is only forexpressing one symbol period in the time domain, and there is nolimitation in a multiple access scheme or terminologies. For example,the OFDM symbol may also be referred to as another terminology such as asingle carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) symbol, asymbol period, etc.

Although it is described that one slot includes 7 OFDM symbols forexample, the number of OFDM symbols included in one slot may varydepending on a length of a cyclic prefix (CP). According to 3GPP TS36.211 V8.7.0, in case of a normal CP, one subframe includes 7 OFDMsymbols, and in case of an extended CP, one subframe includes 6 OFDMsymbols.

The structure of the radio frame is for exemplary purposes only, andthus the number of subframes included in the radio frame or the numberof slots included in the subframe, and the number of OFDM symbolsincluded in the slot may change variously.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a resource grid for one slot.

A slot in a subframe includes a plurality of OFDM symbols in time domainand a plurality of resource blocks (RBs) in frequency domain.

A RB is a resource allocation unit, and includes a plurality ofsubcarriers in one slot.

For example, if one slot includes 7 OFDM symbols in a time domain and anRB includes 12 subcarriers in a frequency domain, one RB can include 84resource elements (REs).

The number N″ of RBs depends on system bandwidth or bandwidth of acomponent carrier.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the structure of a DL subframe in the 3GPPLTE.

A DL subframe is divided into a control region and a data region in timedomain. The control region includes up to three preceding OFDM symbolsof a 1st slot in the subframe. The number of OFDM symbols included inthe control region may vary. A PDCCH is allocated to the control region,and a PDSCH is allocated to the data region.

As disclosed in 3GPP TS 36.211 V8.7.0, the 3GPP LTE classifies physicalchannels into a data channel, i.e., a physical downlink shared channel(PDSCH) and a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH), and a controlchannel, i.e., physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), physicalcontrol format indicator channel (PCFICH), physical hybrid-ARQ indicatorchannel (PHICH) and physical uplink control channel (PUCCH).

The PCFICH transmitted in the first OFDM symbol of the subframe carriesa control format indicator (CFI) indicating the number of OFDM symbols(i.e., a size of the control region) used in transmission of controlchannels in the subframe. A UE first receives the CFI over the PCFICH,and thereafter monitors the PDCCH.

The PHICH carries a positive-acknowledgement(ACK)/negative-acknowledgement (NACK) signal for hybrid automatic repeatrequest (HARQ). The ACK/NACK signal for a UL transport block on thePUSCH transmitted by the UE is transmitted on the PHICH.

Control information transmitted through the PDCCH is referred to asdownlink control information (DCI). The DCI may include a PDSCH resourceallocation (referred to as a DL grant), a PUSCH resource allocation(referred to as a UL grant), a set of transmit power control commandsfor individual UEs in any UE group, and/or activation of a voice overInternet protocol (VoIP).

The DCI on the PDCCH is received by using blind decoding. A plurality ofcandidate PDCCHs can be transmitted in the control region of onesubframe. The UE monitors the plurality of candidate PDCCHs in everysubframe. Herein, monitoring is an operation in which the UE attemptsdecoding of each PDCCH according to a format of PDCCH to be monitored.The UE monitors a set of PDCCH candidates in a subframe to find its ownPDCCH. For example, if there is no cyclic redundancy check (CRC) errordetected by performing de-making on an identifier (i.e., cell-radionetwork temporary identifier (RNTI)) of the UE in a corresponding PDCCH,the UE detects this PDCCH as a PDCCH having a DCI of the UE.

The control region in the subframe includes a plurality of controlchannel elements (CCEs). The CCE is a logical allocation unit used toprovide the PDCCH with a code rate depending on a wireless channel. TheCCE corresponds to a plurality of resource element groups (REGs). TheREG includes a plurality of REs. According to a relation between thenumber of CCEs and the code rate provided by the CCEs, the PDCCH formatand a possible number of bits of the PDCCH are determined.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a UL subframe in the 3GPP LTE.

Referring to FIG. 5, The UL subframe can be divided into a controlregion to which a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) carryinguplink control information is allocated and a data region to which aphysical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) carrying uplink data isallocated.

A PUCCH for a UE is allocated in a pair of resource blocks in asubframe. Resources blocks belonging to the resource block-pair occupydifferent subcarriers in a first slot and a second slot. In FIG. 5, m isa position index indicating a logical frequency region position of theresource block pair, allocated to PUCCHs within the uplink subframe.FIG. 5 shows that resource blocks having the same m value occupydifferent subcarriers in the two slots.

In accordance with 3GPP TS 36.211 V8.7.0, a PUCCH supports a multipleformats. PUCCHs having different numbers of bits per subframe can beused in accordance with a modulation scheme dependent on a PUCCH format.

The table 1 shows an example of modulation schemes and the number ofbits per subframe according to PUCCH formats.

TABLE 1 PUCCH Modulation Number of Bits Format Scheme per subframe 1 N/AN/A 1a BPSK 1 1b QPSK 2 2 QPSK 20 2a QPSK + BPSK 21 2b QPSK + BPSK 22

The PUCCH format 1 is used to transmit an SR (Scheduling Request), thePUCCH formats 1a/1b are used to transmit an ACK/NACK signal for an HARQ,the PUCCH format 2 is used to transmit a CQI, and each of the PUCCHformats 2a/2b is used to simultaneously transmit a CQI and an ACK/NACKsignal. When only the ACK/NACK signal is transmitted in a subframe, thePUCCH formats 1a/1b are used, but when only the SR is transmitted in asubframe, the PUCCH format 1 is used. When the SR and the ACK/NACKsignal are simultaneously transmitted, the PUCCH format 1 is used. TheACK/NACK signal modulated in resources to which the SR has beenallocated is transmitted.

Each of all the PUCCH formats uses the cyclic shift (CS) of a sequencein each OFDM symbol. The cyclic-shifted sequence is generated bycyclically shifting a base sequence by a specific CS amount. Thespecific CS amount is indicated by a CS index.

An example in which the base sequence r_(u)(n) is defined is shown as:

r _(u)(n)=e ^(jb(n)π/4)  [Equation 1]

where u indicates a root index, n indicates an element index where0<n<N−1, and N indicates the length of the base sequence. b(n) isdefined in section 5.5 of 3GPP TS 36.211 V8.7.0.

The length of the base sequence is equal to the number of elementsincluded in the base sequence. u can be determined based on a cell ID(identifier) or a slot number within a radio frame. Assuming that thebase sequence is mapped to one resource block in the frequency domain,the length of the base sequence N is 12 because one resource blockincludes 12 subcarriers. A different base sequence can be defined on thebasis of a different root index.

A cyclic-shifted sequence r(n, I_(cs)) can be generated by cyclicallyshifting the base sequence r(n) as shown:

$\begin{matrix}{{{r\left( {n,I_{cs}} \right)} = {{r(n)} \cdot {\exp \left( \frac{j\; 2\pi \; I_{cs}n}{N} \right)}}},{0 \leq I_{cs} \leq {N - 1}}} & \left\lbrack {{Equation}\mspace{14mu} 2} \right\rbrack\end{matrix}$

where I_(cs) is a CS index indicating the CS amount (0<I_(cs)<N−1).

Hereinafter, available CS indices of the base sequence refer to CSindices that can be derived from the base sequence on the basis of a CSinterval. For example, assuming that the length of the base sequence is12 and the CS interval is 1, a total number of available CS indices ofthe base sequence is 12. Assuming that the length of the base sequenceis 12 and the CS interval is 2, the number of available CS indices ofthe base sequence is 6.

A method of transmitting the HARQ ACK/NACK signal in the PUCCH formats1a/1b is described below.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the PUCCH format 1b in a normal CP in the3GPP LTE. On slot includes 7 OFDM symbols. 7 OFDM symbols are dividedinto 3 reference signal (RS) OFDM symbols and 4 data OFDM symbols for aACK/NACK signal.

For PUCCH format 1b, a modulation symbol d(0) is generated by modulatinga 2-bit ACK/NACK signal through QPSK (Quadrature Phase Shift Keying).

The CS index I_(cs) can vary depending on a slot number (n_(s)) within aradio frame or a symbol index (l) within a slot or both.

Since there are 4 data OFDM symbols used for transmission of theACK/NACK signal in the normal CP, it is assumed that CS indexescorresponding to 4 data OFDM symbols are I_(cs0), I_(cs1), I_(cs2) andI_(cs3).

The modulation symbol d(0) is spread with a cyclic-shifted sequencer(n,I_(cs)). Assuming one-dimensional spread sequence corresponding toan (i+1)th OFDM symbol in a subframe is m(i), for i=0, 1, 2, 3, it canbe expressed as:

{m(0), m(1), m(2), m(3)}={d(0)r(n,I_(cs0)), d(0)r(n,I_(cs1)),d(0)r(n,I_(cs2)), d(0)r(n,I_(cs3))}.

To increase UE capacity, the one-dimensional spread sequence can bespread using an orthogonal sequence. An orthogonal sequence w_(i)(k),where i is a sequence index and 0<k<K−1, having a spreading factor K=4may use the following sequence.

TABLE 2 Index [ w_(i)(0), w_(i)(1), w_(i)(2), (i) w_(i)(3) ] 0 [ +1, +1,+1, +1 ] 1 [ +1, −1, +1, −1 ] 2 [ +1, −1, −1, +1 ]

The orthogonal sequence w_(i)(k), where i is a sequence index and0<k<K−1, having a spreading factor K=3 may use the following sequence.

TABLE 3 Index (i) [ w_(i)(0), w_(i)(1), w_(i)(2), ] 0 [ +1, +1, +1, ] 1[ +1, e^(j2π/3), e^(j4π/3) ] 2 [ +1, e^(j4π/3), e^(j2π/3) ]

A different spreading factor can be used for each slot.

Accordingly, assuming that a certain orthogonal sequence index i isgiven, 2-dimensional spread sequences s(0), s(1), s(2), s(3) can beexpressed as follows:

{{s(0), s(1), s(2), s(3)}={w_(i)(0)m(0), w_(i)(1)m(1), w_(i)(2)m(2),w_(i)(3)m(3)}.

The two-dimensional spread sequences {s(0), s(1), s(2), s(4)} aresubject to IFFT and then transmitted through corresponding OFDM symbols.Accordingly, the ACK/NACK signal is transmitted on the PUCCH.

A reference signal for the PUCCH format 1b is also transmitted bycyclically shifting the base sequence r(n) and then by spreading it bythe use of an orthogonal sequence. When cyclic-shift indicescorresponding to three RS OFDM symbols are denoted by I_(cs4), I_(cs5),and I_(cs6), three cyclic-shifted sequences r(n,I_(cs4)), r(n,I_(cs5)),and r(n,I_(cs6)) may be obtained. The three cyclic-shifted sequences arespread by the use of an orthogonal sequence w^(RS) _(i)(k) having aspreading factor K=3.

An orthogonal sequence index i, a cyclic shift index I_(cs), and aresource block index m are parameters required to configure the PUCCHand are also resources used to identify the PUCCH (or UE). If the numberof available cyclic shifts is 12 and the number of available orthogonalsequence indices is 3, PUCCHs for 36 UEs in total may be multiplexed toone resource block.

In the 3GPP LTE, a resource index n⁽¹⁾ _(PUUCH) is defined in order forthe UE to obtain the three parameters for configuring the PUCCH. Theresource index n⁽¹⁾ _(PUUCH) is defined to n_(CCE)+N⁽¹⁾ _(PUUCH), wheren_(CCE) is an index of a first CCE used for transmission of acorresponding DCI (i.e., DL resource allocation used to receive DL datacorresponding to an ACK/NACK signal), and N⁽¹⁾ _(PUUCH) is a parameterreported by a BS to the UE by using a higher-layer message.

Time, frequency, and code resources used for transmission of theACK/NACK signal are referred to as ACK/NACK resources or PUCCHresources. As described above, an index of the ACK/NACK resourcerequired to transmit the ACK/NACK signal on the PUCCH (referred to as anACK/NACK resource index or a PUCCH index) may be expressed with at leastany one of an orthogonal sequence index i, a cyclic shift index I_(cs),a resource block index m, and an index for obtaining the three indices.The ACK/NACK resource may include at least one of an orthogonalsequence, a cyclic shift, a resource block, and a combination thereof.

Consequently, a resource used for PUCCH transmission may be implicitlydetermined depending on a resource of a corresponding PDCCH. This isbecause the BS does not additionally report a resource used by the UE inPUCCH transmission for the ACK/NACK signal, and reports it indirectly byusing a resource used for the PDCCH for scheduling of a DL transferblock.

FIG. 7 shows an example of performing HARQ.

By monitoring a PDCCH, a UE receives a DL resource allocation on a PDCCH501 in an n^(th) DL subframe. The UE receives a DL transport blockthrough a PDSCH 502 indicated by the DL resource allocation.

The UE transmits an ACK/NACK signal for the DL transport block on aPUCCH 511 in an (n+4)^(th) UL subframe. The ACK/NACK signal correspondsto an ACK signal when the DL transport block is successfully decoded,and corresponds to a NACK signal when the DL transport block fails indecoding. Upon receiving the NACK signal, a BS may retransmit the DLtransport block until the ACK signal is received or until up to amaximum number of retransmission attempts.

To configure the PUCCH 511, the UE uses a resource allocation of thePDCCH 501. That is, a lowest CCE index (or an index of a first CCE) usedfor transmission of the PDCCH 501 is n_(CCE), and a resource index isdetermined as n⁽¹⁾ _(PUUCH)=n_(CCE)+N⁽¹⁾ _(PUUCH).

Now, CQI transmission in the PUCCH format 2 will be described.

Hereinafter, a CQI is only one example of a UL control signaltransmitted using the PUCCH format 2. The CQI can include a widebandCQI, a subband CQI, a precoding matrix indication (PMI) indicating anindex of a precoding matrix, and/or rank indication (RI) indicating arank.

FIG. 8 shows a PUCCH format 2 in case of using a normal CP in 3GPP LTE.One slot includes 7 OFDM symbols. Two OFDM symbols are used as RS OFDMsymbols for a reference signal. Five OFDM symbols are used as data OFDMsymbols for a CQI.

Channel coding is performed on a CQI payload to generate an encoded CQI.In 3GPP LTE, a payload of the PUCCH format 2 is up to 13 bits, and a20-bit encoded CQI is generated always irrespective of a size of apayload in use.

From the 20-bit encoded CQI, 10 modulation symbols d(0), . . . ,d(9) aregenerated by using quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK) modulation.Since one slot has five OFDM symbols for CQI transmission in the normalCP or the extended CP, one subframe has 10 OFDM symbols for CQItransmission. Therefore, 10 modulation symbols are generated such thatone modulation symbol corresponds to one OFDM symbol.

A CS index I_(cs) can vary depending on a slot number n_(s) in a radioframe and/or a symbol index l in a slot.

In the normal CP, 5 data OFDM symbols exist in one slot for CQItransmission. Cyclic shift indices corresponding to the respective dataOFDM symbols are denoted by I_(cs0), I_(cs1), I_(cs2), I_(cs3), andI_(cs4).

The modulation symbol corresponding to each OFDM symbol is spread to acyclically-shifted sequence r(n,I_(cs)). When a spread sequencecorresponding to an (i+1)^(th) OFDM symbol in a subframe is denoted bys(i), it can be expressed as follows.

{s(0), s(1), s(2), s(3), s(4)}={d(0)r(n,I_(cs0)), d(1)r(n,I_(cs1)),d(2)r(n,I_(cs2)), d(3)r(n,I_(cs3)), d(4)r(n,I_(cs4))}.

The spread sequences {s(0), s(1), s(2), s(3), s(4)} are subjected toIFFT, and thereafter are transmitted in corresponding OFDM symbols.Accordingly, the CQI is transmitted on the PUCCH.

The UE has to know a CS index I_(cs) and an RB index m to constitute thePUCCH format 2. In 3GPP LTE, the BS reports one resource index n_(PUCCH)⁽²⁾ to the UE, and the UE acquires the CS index I_(cs) and the RB indexm on the basis of a resource index n_(PUCCH) ⁽²⁾.

A reference signal of the PUCCH format 2 is also transmitted bycyclically shifting the base sequence r(n) and then by spreading itusing an orthogonal sequence. When cyclic-shift indices corresponding totwo RS OFDM symbols are denoted by I_(cs10) and I_(cs11), twocyclic-shifted sequences r(n, I_(cs10)) and r(n,I_(cs11)) can beobtained. The cyclic-shifted sequences are subjected to IFFT, andthereafter are transmitted in corresponding OFDM symbols.

A PUCCH format 3 is discussed in addition to the PUCCH formats of theconventional 3GPP LTE shown in Table 1.

FIG. 9 shows a PUCCH format 3 in case of using a normal CP. One slotincludes 7 OFDM symbols. Two OFDM symbols are used as RS OFDM symbolsfor a reference signal. Five OFDM symbols are used as data OFDM symbolsfor an uplink control signal (e.g., an ACK/NACK signal). The locationand the number of the RS OFDM symbol and the data OFDM symbol are forexemplary purposes only.

The PUCCH format 3 uses DFT-IFFT and block-spreading.

A symbol sequence {d(0), d(1), . . . } is spread by an orthogonalsequence. The symbol sequence is a set of complex-valued symbols whichexpress an uplink control signal. Since there are 5 data OFDM symbols,block-spreading is performed by an orthogonal sequence {w(0), w(1),w(2), w(3), w(4)} having a spreading factor of 5.

The block-spread symbol sequence is subjected to discrete Fouriertransform (DFT). Thereafter, the block-spread symbol sequence issubjected to IFFT, and is then mapped to data OFDM symbols.

Unlike other PUCCH formats in which multiplexing is performed by usingcyclic shift, the PUCCH format 3 performs multiplexing by using anorthogonal sequence. Although multiplexing capacity is decreased, achannel payload can be increased.

Now, ACK/NACK transmission in 3GPP LTE time division duplex (TDD) willbe described.

TDD differs from frequency division duplex (FDD) in that a UL subframeand a DL subframe coexist in one radio frame. In general, the number ofUL subframes is less than the number of DL subframes. Therefore, sincethere is not enough UL subframes for transmitting an ACK/NACK signal, itis supported to transmit a plurality of ACK/NACK signals for a pluralityof DL transport blocks in one UL subframe. According to the section 10.1of 3GPP TS 36.213 V8.7.0 (2009-05), two ACK/NACK modes, i.e., channelselection and bundling, are introduced.

First, bundling is an operation in which ACK is transmitted whendecoding of all PDSCHs (i.e., DL transport blocks) received by a UE issuccessful, and otherwise NACK is transmitted.

Second, channel selection is also called ACK/NACK multiplexing. The UEtransmits ACK/NACK by selecting a plurality of reserved PUCCH resources.

Assume that M DL subframes are linked to a UL subframe n.

When M=3, an example of channel selection is as shown in Table 4 below.

TABLE 4 HARQ-ACK(0), HARQ-ACK(1), HARQ-ACK(2) n_(PUCCH) ⁽¹⁾ b(0), b(1)ACK, ACK, ACK n_(PUCCH,2) ⁽¹⁾ 1, 1 ACK, ACK, NACK/DTX n_(PUCCH,1) ⁽¹⁾ 1,1 ACK, NACK/DTX, ACK n_(PUCCH,0) ⁽¹⁾ 1, 1 ACK, NACK/DTX, NACK/DTXn_(PUCCH,0) ⁽¹⁾ 0, 1 NACK/DTX, ACK, ACK n_(PUCCH,2) ⁽¹⁾ 1, 0 NACK/DTX,ACK, NACK/DTX n_(PUCCH,1) ⁽¹⁾ 0, 0 NACK/DTX, NACK/DTX, ACK n_(PUCCH,2)⁽¹⁾ 0, 0 DTX, DTX, NACK n_(PUCCH,2) ⁽¹⁾ 0, 1 DTX, NACK, NACK/DTXn_(PUCCH,1) ⁽¹⁾ 1, 0 NACK, NACK/DTX, NACK/DTX n_(PUCCH,0) ⁽¹⁾ 1, 0 DTX,DTX, DTX N/A N/A

HARQ-ACK(i) denotes ACK/NACK for an i^(th) DL subframe among the M DLsubframes. Discontinuous transmission (DTX) implies that a DL transportblock cannot be received on a PDSCH in a corresponding DL subframe.According to Table 3 above, there are three PUCCH resources n⁽¹⁾_(PUCCH,0), n⁽¹⁾ _(PUCCH,1), and n⁽¹⁾ _(PUCCH,2), and b(0) and b(1) aretwo bits transmitted by using a selected PUCCH.

For example, if the UE successfully receives three DL transport blocksin three DL subframes, the UE transmits bits (1,1) on the PUCCH by usingn⁽¹⁾ _(PUCCH,2). If the UE fails to decode the DL transport block andsucceeds in the decoding of the remaining transport blocks in a 1^(st)(i=0) DL subframe, the UE transmits bits (1,0) on the PUCCH by usingn⁽¹⁾ _(PUCCH,2).

In channel selection, NACK and DTX are coupled if there is at least oneACK. This is because all ACK/NACK states cannot be expressed bycombining a reserved PUCCH resource and a QPSK symbol. However, if theACK does not exist, the DTX is decoupled from the NACK.

The conventional PUCCH format 1b can transmit only 2-bit ACK/NACK.However, channel selection links the allocated PUCCH resources and anactual ACK/NACK signal and thus expresses more ACK/NACK states.

Now, a multiple-carrier system will be described.

A 3GPP LTE system supports a case where a DL bandwidth and a ULbandwidth are set differently only under the assumption that onecomponent carrier (CC) is used. The 3GPP LTE system supports up to 20MHz. The UL bandwidth can be different from the DL bandwidth. Only oneCC is supported in each of UL and DL cases.

Spectrum aggregation (or bandwidth aggregation, also referred to ascarrier aggregation) supports a plurality of CCs. For example, if 5 CCsare assigned as a granularity of a carrier unit having a bandwidth of 20MHz, a bandwidth of up to 100 MHz can be supported.

FIG. 10 shows an example of multiple carriers.

Although 3 DL CCs and 3 UL CCs are shown herein, the number of DL CCsand the number of UL CCs are not limited thereto. In each DL CC, a PDCCHand a PDSCH are independently transmitted. In each UL CC, a PUCCH and aPUSCH are independently transmitted.

A UE can monitor the PDCCH in a plurality of DL CCs, and can receive aDL transport block simultaneously through the plurality of DL CC. The UEcan transmit a plurality of UL transport blocks simultaneously through aplurality of UL CCs.

Two CC scheduling methods are possible in a multi-carrier system.

First, a PDCCH-PDSCH pair is transmitted in one CC. This CC is calledself-scheduling. In addition, this implies that a UL CC in which a PUSCHis transmitted is a CC linked to a DL CC in which a corresponding PDCCHis transmitted. That is, the PDCCH allocates a PDSCH resource on thesame CC, or allocates a PUSCH resource on a linked UL CC.

Second, a DL CC in which the PDSCH is transmitted or a UL CC in whichthe PUSCH is transmitted is determined irrespective of a DL CC in whichthe PDCCH is transmitted. That is, the PDCCH and the PDSCH aretransmitted in different DL CCs, or the PUSCH is transmitted through aUL CC which is not linked to the DL CC in which the PDSCH istransmitted. This is called cross-carrier scheduling. A CC in which thePDCCH is transmitted is called a PDCCH carrier, a monitoring carrier, ora scheduling carrier. A CC in which the PDSCH/PUSCH is transmitted iscalled a PDSCH/PUSCH carrier or a scheduled carrier.

FIG. 11 shows an example of cross-carrier scheduling. It is assumed thata DL CC #1 is linked to a UL CC #1, a DL CC #2 is linked to a UL CC #2,and a DL CC #3 is linked to a UL CC #3.

A 1^(st) PDCCH 710 of the DL CC #1 carries DCI for a PDSCH 702 of thesame DL CC #1. A 2^(nd) PDCCH 711 of the DL CC #1 carries DCI for aPDSCH 712 of the DL CC #2. A 3^(rd) PDCCH 721 of the DL CC #1 carriesDCI for a PUSCH 722 of the unlinked UL CC #3.

For cross-carrier scheduling, the DCI of the PDCCH may include a carrierindicator field (CIF). The CIF indicates a DL CC or a UL CC scheduledthrough the DCI. For example, the 2^(nd) PDCCH 711 may include a CIFindicating the DL CC #2. The 3^(rd) PDCCH 721 may include a CIFindicating the UL CC #3.

Cross-carrier scheduling can be activated/deactivated for each UE. Forexample, a BS can report to a UE whether the CIF is included in the DCI.When cross-carrier scheduling is activated, the UE can receive the DCIincluding the CIF. From the CIF included in the DCI, the UE can know aspecific scheduled CC for which the received PDCCH is used as controlinformation.

To reduce an overhead caused by PDCCH monitoring, only M (M<N) DL CCscan be monitored even if N DL CCs are supported. A CC for monitoring thePDCCH is called a monitoring CC. A set of monitoring CCs is called amonitoring CC set.

For example, if the DL CC #1 is a monitoring CC and the DL CC #2 and theDL CC #3 are non-monitoring CCs, the UE can perform blind decoding ofthe PDCCH only in the DL CC #1.

FIG. 12 shows an example of a multi-carrier operation. Even if amulti-carrier system supports a plurality of CCs, the number ofsupported CCs may differ depending on a cell or UE capability.

An available CC indicates all CCs that can be used by the system.Herein, there are 6 CCs (i.e., CC #1 to CC #6).

An assigned CC is a CC assigned by a BS to a UE according to the UEcapacity among available CCs. Although it is shown that the CC #1 to theCC #4 are assigned CCs, the number of assigned CCs may be less than orequal to the number of available CCs.

An active CC is a CC used by the UE to perform reception and/ortransmission of a control signal and/or data with respect to the BS. TheUE can perform PDCCH monitoring and/or PDSCH buffering with respect tosome or all of the active CCs. The active CC can be activated ordeactivated among the assigned CCs.

One of the active CCs is a reference CC. The reference CC is also calleda primary CC or an anchor CC. The reference CC is a CC in whichinformation necessary for a system operation is transmitted such assystem information and/or multi-carrier operation information. Thereference CC is always activated, and is a monitoring CC.

Now, a problem occurring when the aforementioned PUCCH structure appliesto multiple carriers will be described.

A PUCCH format used for transmission of an ACK/NACK signal is a PUCCHformat 1a/1b and a PUCCH format 2a/2b. A 2-bit payload is used fortransmission of the ACK/NACK signal in this PUCCH format.

If there are four DL CCs and a UE receives four DL transport blocks, achannel having a 4-bit payload is required. Since 4 bits cannot betransmitted in one PUCCH when using the conventional PUCCH format 1a/1band PUCCH format 2a/2b, a method of using a plurality of PUCCHs and amethod of using a PUCCH format 2/3 in ACK/NACK signal transmission areproposed.

When using two PUCCHs (e.g., two PUCCH formats 1b), an up to 4-bitACK/NACK signal can be transmitted. However, the use of the plurality ofPUCCHs requires great transmission power, and may increase apeak-to-average power ratio (PAPR).

Transmission of an ACK/NACK signal having a greater payload by using theconventional PUCCH format 2 or 3 is also being discussed.

Since the PUCCH format 2 can transmit up to 20 bits, a 20-bit encodedACK/NACK signal is generated by encoding an ACK/NACK signal of 1 to 20bits in the same method used in the CQI encoding. The 20-bit encodedACK/NACK signal is subjected to QPSK modulation to generate 10modulation symbols, and the generated symbols are transmitted byspreading the symbols in a frequency domain.

FIG. 13 shows an example of a PDCCH detection failure.

A 1^(st) PDCCH 801 of a DL CC #1 carries DCI for a PDSCH 802 of the DLCC #1. A 2^(nd) PDCCH 811 of the DL CC #1 carries DCI for a PDSCH 812 ofa DL CC #2. A 3^(rd) PDCCH 821 of the DL CC #1 carries DCI for a PDSCH822 of a UL CC #4. The DL CC #1 is a monitoring CC.

When a UE normally receives all of the PDCCHs 801, 802, and 803 and oneDL transport block is transmitted on each of the PDSCHs 802, 812, and822, a 3-bit ACK/NACK signal is required. Therefore, the UE encodes the3-bit ACK/NACK signal to generate a 20-bit encoded ACK/NACK signal. The20-bit encoded ACK/NACK signal is subjected to QPSK modulation togenerate 10 modulation symbols, and the generated symbols aretransmitted by being spread in a frequency domain.

However, assume that the UE fails to detect the 3^(rd) PDCCH 821. Sincethe 3^(rd) PDCCH 821 cannot be received, the UE receives only the 1^(st)and 2^(nd) PDCCHs 802 and 803. As a result, the UE transmits a 2-bitACK/NACK signal by encoding the signal with a PUCCH format 2. Since a BScannot know that the UE fails to detect the 3^(rd) PDCCH 821, decodingis attempted by recognizing a size of the received ACK/NACK signal as 3bits. As a result, the BS and the UE exchange the wrong ACK/NACK signal.

In order to solve the aforementioned problem, it is proposed to usedifferent PUCCH resources according to a payload of a transmittedACK/NACK signal and/or the number of scheduled PDSCHs (or receivedPDCCHs) when a plurality of PDSCHs are transmitted through a pluralityof CCs.

A PUCCH resource can be divided into a time, a space, a frequency,and/or a code. More specifically, the PUCCH resource can be expressed inat least one of an orthogonal sequence index i, a cyclic shift indexI_(cs), a resource block index m, and an index for obtaining the abovethree indices. Alternatively, different PUCCH resources can be expressedwith different PUCCH formats.

The different PUCCH resources can be allocated exclusively for areference signal and/or a control signal.

If semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) is activated, the UE can receive thePDSCH without additional PDCCH monitoring. The exclusive PUCCH resourcescan be allocated by also including the number of PDSCHs to be SPSscheduled in a corresponding subframe.

FIG. 14 shows a method of transmitting an ACK/NACK signal according toan embodiment of the present invention.

Available PUCCH resources are divided into four groups (i.e., groups A,B, C, and D). The group A is a set of PUCCH resources to be used whenone PDSCH is scheduled. The group B is a set of PUCCH resources to beused when two PDSCHs are scheduled. The group C is a set of PUCCHresources to be used when three PDSCHs are scheduled. The group D is aset of PUCCH resources to be used when four PDSCHs are scheduled.

As shown in the example of FIG. 13, it is assumed that a reception erroroccurs in the 3^(rd) PDCCH 821. Since two PDSCHs 802 and 812 arescheduled to the UE, the UE transmits an ACK/NACK signal by using aPUCCH resource belonging to the group B. Since three PDSCHs arescheduled to the BS, the BS waits to receive an ACK/NACK signal by usinga PUCCH resource belonging to the group C.

Therefore, upon receiving the ACK/NACK signal belonging to the group B,the BS can confirm that the UE fails to receive one PDCCH.

If up to four CCs can be scheduled to the UE, each of the PUCCHresources A, B, C, and D is reserved as an exclusive resource (or group)for each CC. When one PDCCH is received, the UE transmits an ACK/NACKsignal corresponding to a scheduled PDSCH by using the PUCCH resource A.When two PDCCHs are received, the UE transmits an ACK/NACK signalcorresponding to a scheduled PDSCH by using the PUCCH resource B.

Information regarding a PUCCH resource (or PUCCH group) reserved foreach CC (or PDSCH to be scheduled) may be predetermined or may bereported by the BS to the UE.

A PUCCH format can be used differently depending on the number of CCs tobe scheduled or the number of PDSCHs to be scheduled. If the number ofCCs to be scheduled is less than or equal to 2, the PUCCH format 1a/1bis used. If the number of CCs to be scheduled is greater than 2, thePUCCH format 2 or 3 is used.

A PUCCH resource used for transmission of the PUCCH format 1a/1b can beassigned in the same manner as that used in 3GPP LTE shown in FIG. 9. Ifthere is a PDCCH for scheduling a PDSCH, a dynamic PUCCH resource isused. In this case, the dynamic PUCCH resource corresponds to a CCE inwhich the PDCCH is used. If the PDSCH is scheduled without the PDCCHduring a specific time duration similarly to SPS, a PUCCH resourcedesignated with higher-layer signaling (e.g., RRC message) is used.

In the exclusive PUCCH resource (or group), the number of CCs to bescheduled or the number of PDSCHs to be scheduled may correspond to eachother in a 1:1 manner, or may not correspond to each other. If thenumber of CCs that can be scheduled is M (M>1), N (N>1) exclusive PUCCHresources can be reserved.

In order to decrease complexity for ACK/NACK signal detection of the BS,an exclusive PUCCH resource can be reserved for a PDSCH or PDCCHtransmitted through a specific CC.

When a PDCCH-PDSCH pair is transmitted in one CC, a PDCCH and a PDSCHwhich is scheduled by the PDCCH are transmitted in the same CC. In thiscase, exclusive allocation of the PUCCH resource when the PDSCH istransmitted can be equivalent to exclusive allocation of the PUCCHresource when the PDCCH is transmitted.

The BS can report to the UE about selection information regarding whichresource will be used among exclusively reserved PUCCH resources (orresource group) through an RRC message or a PDCCH. A field forindicating selection of the reserved PUCCH resource can be included inDCI. Alternatively, CRC masking and/or a reserved scrambling code forindicating selection of the reserved PUCCH resource can be used.

The selection information can be indicated by the number of PDCCHs orthe number of PDSCHs to be scheduled.

The DCI on the PDCCH can include not only a resource allocation but alsoa counter field indicating a specific order of the PDSCH which isscheduled by the PDCCH. For example, a counter value of DCI of a 1^(st)PDCCH is 1, a counter value of DCI of a 2^(nd) PDCCH is 2, and a countervalue of a 3^(rd) PDCCH is 3. The UE transmits an ACK/NACK signal byusing a PUCCH resource corresponding to a last counter value amongPDCCHs which are successfully received by the UE. Therefore, the UE canknow a specific order of a PDCCH when the UE fails to detect the PDCCH,and can includes information thereof to the ACK/NACK signal. Assume thatthe UE receives the 1^(st) PDCCH, fails to receive the 2^(nd) PDCCH, andreceives the 3^(rd) PDCCH. Since a counter value of DCI of the 3^(rd)PDCCH is 3, the UE knows that detection of the 2^(nd) PDCCH fails, andreports this to the BS by using NACK or discontinuous transmission(DTX).

When a counter is included in the DCI, the UE can transmit an ACK/NACKsignal corresponding to the maximum number of transport blocks for eachCC group. For example, it is assumed that the UE can use 5 CCs, 3 CCsbelong to a 1^(st) CC group, and the remaining 2 CCs belong to a 2^(nd)CC group. If up to 2 transport blocks can be transmitted for each CC, anACK/NACK signal can be transmitted for 6 transport blocks with respectto the 1^(st) CC group and an ACK/NACK signal can be transmitted for 4transport blocks with respect to the 2^(nd) CC group. The UE can selectfrom the received counter a PUCCH resource on the basis of the maximumnumber of corresponding PDSCHs or the number of transport blocks.

FIG. 15 shows a method of transmitting an ACK/NACK signal according toanother embodiment of the present invention.

Available PUCCH resources are divided into two groups (i.e., groups Aand B).

The transmission group A is a set of PUCCH resources used when a PDSCH(or PDCCH) is scheduled only in a specific CC. The transmission group Bis a set of PUCCH resources to be used when the resources do not belongto the transmission group A.

In a certain subframe, a 1^(st) PDCCH 901 of a DL CC #1 carries DCI fora PDSCH 902 of the DL CC #1. A 2^(nd) PDCCH 911 of the DL CC #1 carriesDCI for a PDSCH 912 of a DL CC #2. Therefore, an ACK/NACK signal for thePDSCHs 902 and 921 is selected from PUCCH resources in the transmissiongroup B.

Next, a PDCCH 951 of the DL CC #1 carries DCI for a PDSCH 952 of the DLCC #1. When a specific CC is denoted by the DL CC #1, an ACK/NACK signalfor the PDSCH 951 is selected from PUCCH resources in the transmissiongroup A.

The transmission group A and the transmission group B may be differentPUCCH resources (i.e., a cyclic shift index, an orthogonal sequenceindex, a resource block index, etc.), and may express different PUCCHformats. For example, the transmission group A may indicate a PUCCHformat 1/1a/1b, and the transmission group B may indicate a PUCCH format2 or 3.

The transmission group A and the transmission group B may use differenttransmission schemes. For example, the conventional TDD scheme useschannel selection or bundling, whereas a TDD scheme in which a pluralityof frequency bands are aggregated may use the PUCCH format 3 to transmitmore ACK/NACK bits. In this case, the transmission group A may usechannel selection or bundling, and the transmission group B may use thePUCCH format 3.

The DL CC #1, that is, a CC used by the group A, may be a primary CC (ora reference CC). If scheduling is performed only in the primary CC, thePUCCH format 1a/1b is used, and in the remaining cases, the PUCCH format2 and/or 3 are used.

If there is no need to support a high data rate even if a plurality ofCCs are configured, there is a high possibility that only one CC isused. In this case, a CC used in general may be the primary CC. Whenonly the primary CC is scheduled, it is possible to avoid unnecessarytransmission of an ACK/NACK signal for all of configured CCs.

In addition, in cross-carrier scheduling, the primary carrier canprovide backward compatibility to 3GPP LTE. The primary CC maintains theconventional PUCCH structure for ACK/NACK, and regarding cross-carrierscheduling, uses a different PUCCH resource or a different PUCCH format.An ACK/NACK signal of a great payload can be supported while maintainingbackward compatibility.

When applying the aforementioned structure to the primary CC, areconfiguration ambiguity can be solved.

FIG. 16 shows an example of a reconfiguration ambiguity.

Assume that a BS and a UE support three DL CCs (i.e., DL CC #1, #2, and#3) and one UL CC. The DL CC #1 is a primary CC.

The BS transmits an RRC connection reconfiguration message to the UEthrough the DL CC #1 (step S1010). The UE sends an RRC connectionreconfiguration complete message in response to the RRC connectionreconfiguration message (step S1020).

The RRC connection reconfiguration message may be a setup message whichallocates a CC to the UE or which activates/deactivates the CC. The RRCconnection reconfiguration complete message is a response message forthe CC setup. It is assumed herein that all of the DL CC #1, #2, and #3are activated through the RRC connection reconfiguration message.

Thereafter, the BS transmits the RRC connection reconfiguration messagewhich deactivates the DL CC #3 to the UE through the DL CC #1 (stepS1050). The UE sends the RRC connection reconfiguration complete messagein response to the RRC connection reconfiguration message (step S1060).

A time when a higher layer message such as an RRC message is actuallytransmitted can be known even if an RRC layer instructs transmission toa lower layer. In addition, the RRC message may be lost duringtransmission.

Therefore, when the BS immediately deactivates the DL CC #3 bytriggering the RRC connection reconfiguration message, a mismatch occursin which the BS uses two DL CC but the UE recognizes that the BS usesthree DL CCs. A duration in which a CC ambiguity may occur due to the CCreconfiguration between the BS and the UE is called a reconfigurationambiguity duration.

An RRC message such as the RRC connection reconfiguration message can bescheduled only in the primary CC. Therefore, a PDSCH which is scheduledor a PDCCH which is monitored only in the primary CC directly uses aPUCCH format 1a/1b for an ACK/NACK signal in a single carrier, and usesa PUCCH format 2/3 or a new PUCCH format in other cases (i.e.,cross-carrier scheduling, scheduling in a CC other than the primary CC,etc.). Accordingly, backward compatibility at the primary CC and apayload of an ACK/NACK signal to be added can be ensured.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing a wireless communication systemaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

A BS 50 includes a processor 51, a memory 52, and a radio frequency (RF)unit 53. The memory 52 is coupled to the processor 51, and stores avariety of information for driving the processor 51. The RF unit 53 iscoupled to the processor 51, and transmits and/or receives a radiosignal.

The processor 51 implements the proposed functions, procedures, and/ormethods. The processor 51 can implement an operation of the BS accordingto the embodiments of FIG. 14 and FIG. 15.

A UE 60 includes a processor 61, a memory 62, and an RF unit 63. Thememory 62 is coupled to the processor 61, and stores a variety ofinformation for driving the processor 61. The RF unit 63 is coupled tothe processor 61, and transmits and/or receives a radio signal.

The processor 61 implements the proposed functions, procedures, and/ormethods. The processor 51 can implement an operation of the UE accordingto the embodiments of FIG. 14 and FIG. 15.

The processor may include Application-Specific Integrated Circuits(ASICs), other chipsets, logic circuits, and/or data processors. Thememory may include Read-Only Memory (ROM), Random Access Memory (RAM),flash memory, memory cards, storage media and/or other storage devices.The RF unit may include a baseband circuit for processing a radiosignal. When the above-described embodiment is implemented in software,the above-described scheme may be implemented using a module (process orfunction) which performs the above function. The module may be stored inthe memory and executed by the processor. The memory may be placedinside or outside the processor and connected to the processor using avariety of well-known means.

In the above exemplary systems, although the methods have been describedon the basis of the flowcharts using a series of the steps or blocks,the present invention is not limited to the sequence of the steps, andsome of the steps may be performed at different sequences from theremaining steps or may be performed simultaneously with the remainingsteps. Furthermore, those skilled in the art will understand that thesteps shown in the flowcharts are not exclusive and may include othersteps or one or more steps of the flowcharts may be deleted withoutaffecting the scope of the present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for transmitting a receptionacknowledgement for hybrid automatic repeat request, HARQ, of a userequipment in a wireless communication system, the method comprising:receiving a downlink resource allocation; receiving a downlink transportblock on a downlink shared channel indicated by the downlink resourceallocation through at least one downlink carrier among a plurality ofdownlink carriers; and transmitting a positive-acknowledgement,ACK/negative-acknowledgement, NACK, signal for the downlink transportblock on an uplink control channel, wherein the uplink control channelis a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH), wherein if the at leastone downlink carrier is a primary carrier, the uplink control channeluses a first resource, and if the at least one downlink carrier is notthe primary carrier, the uplink control channel uses a second resource.2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first resource and the secondresource have different PUCCH formats.
 3. The method of claim 1, whereinthe first resource and the second resource have different cyclic shiftindices.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein, when a plurality of downlinkresource allocations are received through the plurality of downlinkcarriers, the uplink control channel uses the second resource.
 5. A userequipment for transmitting a reception acknowledgement for hybridautomatic repeat request, HARQ, in a wireless communication system, theuser equipment comprising: a radio frequency, RF, unit for transmittingand receiving a radio signal; and a processor operably coupled to the RFunit and configured for: receiving a downlink resource allocation;receiving a downlink transport block on a downlink shared channelindicated by the downlink resource allocation through at least onedownlink carrier among a plurality of downlink carriers; andtransmitting a positive-acknowledgement, ACK/negative-acknowledgement,NACK, signal for the downlink transport block on an uplink controlchannel, wherein the uplink control channel is a physical uplink controlchannel (PUCCH), wherein if the at least one downlink carrier is aprimary carrier, the uplink control channel uses a first resource, andif the at least one downlink carrier is not the primary carrier, theuplink control channel uses a second resource.
 6. The user equipment ofclaim 5, wherein the first resource and the second resource havedifferent PUCCH formats.
 7. The user equipment of claim 5, wherein thefirst resource and the second resource have different cyclic shiftindices.
 8. The user equipment of claim 5, wherein, when a plurality ofdownlink resource allocations are received through the plurality ofdownlink carriers, the uplink control channel uses the second resource.